Reviews by RedDiamond:

Ten taps and one cask serve four regular ales and a host of diverse rotationals. Big Time may feature any of four different pale ales or IPAs - often several concurrently - assuring multiple interpretations of even routine beer styles. Several varieties are available in bottles to go. And quality is worthy of sustained appreciation.

While beer quality is commendable, the food menu is rather plain, especially in comparison with dozens of competing restaurants in the immediate neighborhood. As a rule, I don't consider any food I could prepare myself worth dining out on, though if all you crave is a simple sandwich, a plate of nachos, or college town pizza, Big Time's grub will serve your purposes well enough. Table service is not provided so food must be ordered at the counter, beer at the bar.

The walls at Big Time are adorned high and low with an array of breweriana that looks so old as to have been collected before it was collectable. You know the stuff - posters, old advertisements, serving trays. It's all comfortable somehow and authentic in appearance, like it's gotten good mileage as barroom décor yet still tirelessly entertains. Big Time's two rooms project the air of a comfortably mature public house with their weathered wooden floors and sturdy furniture, brass coat hooks and good lighting. The long and skinny brew house can be seen behind glass along the south wall.

I don't usually notice the ceiling in a bar (not until after the eighth beer or so, when floors and ceilings gain greater prominence). But I spent some time examining Big Time's ceiling before concluding that its irregular yellowing is a clean depiction of an intended pattern and not necessarily the result of decades of cigarette smoke.

In sum, great place for a beer. Atmosphere varies between boisterous at peak flow to a collegiate study hall on quiet afternoons.

More User Reviews:

You'll have to be prepared for the college crowd, especially when school's in session, but it's a nice spot, with decent food, and good beer. Also, it's got some intangibles working in its favor in the form of some history and charm.

The place on the Ave for grad students to hang out and talk Deleuze, for sports fans to mingle and watch the Seahawks get so far to only disappoint, and for everyperson to linger. Beer is great, vibe also. Big screen TVs are something one should be prepared for. I miss the shuffleboard.

Prices are OK. Food is fine (not great, not bad). Beer is good to quite good. Service...there isn't service. They have a counter you can walk to for food orders, and you can walk to the bar for drinks. Which is fine.

We tried every beer they had on tap; several solid IPAs and their nice wheatwine, as well as a couple pales and a porter. I don't make it here often just because it's off my beaten path.

The best feature of this place is that they specialize in IPA's. They currently have a whopping five of them online, including a cask version of the Scarlet Fire, which I am enjoying as I post this. Speaking of the Scarlet Fire, it purveys sharp floral bitterness, an excellent take on the West Coast IPA. I pick up grassy notes and somewhat of a lemony finish. I would highly recommend this place, but be sure to eat lunch or dinner before arriving. Its a quasi college bar (adjacent to the U of W campus), and their menu consists of....pizza, pizza, and oh, some pizza.

For what it is, it’s great. Brewpub on a College Ave, usually has a decent selection, some really good special beers too, great food. I really enjoy it. My personal favorite bar on the Ave, I’m always convincing my friends to go here instead of Finn’s.

Pommes frites go great with most any beer. Couple that with great sauces and you cannot go wrong. My lady and I tried all 3 IPA's and the Rye beer on tap and were delighted considering how many smaller breweries skimp on hops and make a sub-par IPA. Staff was quite friendly and outgoing. Got the wrong sauce from what I ordered and still was satisfied. Grabbed a bottle to go for a reasonable price.

I stopped in here for the first time the other day—dragged my wife and daughter along to try out Whiny the Complainer.

First, I was glad I could bring in the family during the day.

It's a large space with nice seating, people on computers, drinking beer, snacking on food.

Several of their own beers on tap, sadly only had time to try one.

Were there during happy hour where pints are $1 off and there's a small happy hour food menu. We had basic nachos and I ruined my palate. Pizza looked to be the main menu item.

Not a bad place to get a couple beers, study, surf the internet, read a book, eat a pizza...all at once. Also didn't feel too old, despite its location—might've been because we were there at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

So I went on the head brewers last day...apparently the head brewer from Pike was going to take his place (can't remember names).

I went for a midday pint during spring break last year (APhA conference) and had one hell of a time finding the place...I ended up taking a bus out to visit that bar exclusively (it's not within walking distance from dt by any means).

The place had a decent lunch crowd (mainly mexican stuff) and the bar certainly had available seating. The place was set up a little strange as I remember, but had decent decor and atmosphere. It's definitely not a dive bar.
Their beer selection was relatively quaint, sever or eight taps running with growler fills available.
I'm glad I tried the breakfast cereal killer stout (house brewed) and snagged one of their coasters for my collection. It's a great addition to the campus scene and I would love a place like it in Buffalo.

My orgiginal review was nearly four years old since I moved away to Korea and CA for several years. Not much has changed but I am re-reviewing from old to new now.

A: On a Saturday after lunch we walked in and there was perhaps 20 people here. I did notice the change to there minor policy. Old and new folk here.

Q: The establishment is quality as are most of the Big Time beers

S: Always nice and prompt

S: Very good. They always have a wide variety ranging from IPAs x 2, Stouts, Belgians and a nice spectrum of American styles and staples. Today I had the Jack Candi Grand Cru which was ehhh and I picked up an overpriced bomber of Old Wolly Barleywine